Michelle - Owner and Psychotherapist
Michelle earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2007 and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Illinois. She believes that a strong sense of safety, connection, and mutual understanding between therapist and client is essential to a successful therapeutic experience. Michelle is known for her authentic, nonjudgmental, and down-to-earth approach, and she thoughtfully incorporates humor and gentle challenging when appropriate. Her therapeutic style is active, collaborative, and empowering, with a focus on identifying solutions by building on clients’ strengths and fostering insight within a relaxed and supportive environment.
Michelle brings over 18 years of clinical experience working with a wide range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, domestic violence, and eating disorders. She spent more than three years in community mental health settings providing individual and group psychotherapy, case management, and psychoeducational programming to diverse populations. Additionally, Michelle spent over two years working at Intensive Outpatient and Partial Hospitalization levels of care, supporting clients with severe eating disorders, mood disorders, trauma, and anxiety disorders. For the past 13 years, she has been in private practice and enjoys working with a broad and diverse clientele.
In addition to ongoing continuing education, Michelle has completed advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She has also completed the Illinois 40-Hour Domestic Violence Training and earned Postpartum Support International’s Mental Health Certificate. Her clinical interests include women’s issues (including infertility, perinatal care, and (peri)menopause care), relationship and dating struggles, narcissistic abuse recovery, family-of-origin issues, and working with emerging adults, introverts, and highly sensitive individuals (HSP).
Michelle thrives on iced coffee, sweets, and a carefully curated Spotify playlist. When she’s not working or wrangling her 7-year-old, you’ll find her enjoying alone time reading, doing crosswords, or smothering her wiener dog (she’s obsessed). A proud HSP and INFJ, she shows her affection most genuinely through memes, her true love language.
Ernie - Chief Barking Officer
Ernie is a 2 year old miniature dachshund. As Chief Barking Officer, Ernie leads with unmatched vocal precision, alerting the household to every potential threat—from delivery trucks to sneaky squirrels. With a natural talent for high-decibel alerts and an enthusiastic approach to security, the CBO ensures no sound goes unnoticed. When not on duty, Ernie enjoys the finer things in life: cuddles, long naps, and sunbathing in the coziest spots. He is a very good boy.
Halle - Director of General Mischief
Halle is a mischievous mastermind and a certified derp, specializing in chaos with charm. Known for harassing Ernie at every turn, she’s a master of strategic mayhem—whether it's chewing things she shouldn’t, hijacking telehealth sessions, or loudly meowing at the door. When she's not keeping her humans on their toes, she enjoys sunbathing, high-altitude perch sitting, and begging for more food.